Central Iowa lockers?

[MadisonB&C]

Can anyone suggest a good locker (and warn me away from the bad ones) in cenral IA? Preferably within 30 minutes of the Des Moines area. I'm hoping to have an excess of venison quite soon and have lots of hungry landowners and friends.

 

[thephatchef]

If you are ok driving to Pella, Ulrichs Meat Mart has always been good to us. I recommend their spicy sticks over their non-spicy for flavor's sake. I'm also not a fan of their brats. Really salty. Besides that, everything else is good, and they normally can get you the steaks and roasts back before the others.

 

[bowhunter87]

Pella is good but spendy. My last couple of deer went to Milo and they do a good job. Just dont let the front room scare you

 

[Thinkin Rut]

MILO...they have an after hours drop off cooler.

 

[Hardwood11]

MILO...they have an after hours drop off cooler.

They have a good old fashion locker!

 

[JRudd]

Newhall has an excellent locker.. Check them out! Highly recommend them

 

[Hardwood11]

The number of deer that the Milo locker processed last year, nearly blew me over. I don't remember the exact number but I remember it was 4-5 times any locker that I've dealt with in MN

 

[teeroy]

milo is good. maxwell is good, but that is probably a bit out of your 30 minute radius

 

[fatboy]

I have had good luck with Milo and Redfield.

 

[mudingbuck]

I am a big fan of Indainola locker. We try other places, but always end up going back.

 

[HorseDoctor]

Sounds like you will have lots of options. State Center is also a good one. Might push your 30 minutes but not by much. Good luck.

 

[Blaster]

If i were you i would go buy a grinder and vacum sealer and do it your self. You will save a ton of money and you know your getting your deer back.

 

[CurtisWalker]

If i were you i would go buy a grinder and vacum sealer and do it your self. You will save a ton of money and you know your getting your deer back.

X2 cheaper and you get everything you want

 

[JNRBRONC]

If i were you i would go buy a grinder and vacum sealer and do it your self. You will save a ton of money and you know your getting your deer back.

And if you take your time, remove ALL fat, tendon, sinew, etc., you'll have a MUCH better product for the table. The fat and other junk is where most of the "gamey" flavor comes from....

Not knocking lockers, but they are charging by the deer and it is in their best interest to get it from hanging to the package as quick as possible.

 

[pete]

Can anyone suggest a good locker (and warn me away from the bad ones) in cenral IA? Preferably within 30 minutes of the Des Moines area. I'm hoping to have an excess of venison quite soon and have lots of hungry landowners and friends.

Just make your dad process it!

 

[HorseDoctor]

And if you take your time, remove ALL fat, tendon, sinew, etc., you'll have a MUCH better product for the table. The fat and other junk is where most of the "gamey" flavor comes from....

Absolutely agree!!!! Bone it out too. Bone adds nothing but freezer bulk and the marrow is mostly fat and strong flavored. I almost always process my own, but the OP did ask about lockers. On the rare occasion that I just don't have the time to process a deer, I have been pleased with State Center locker and usually have them do specialty items like sausage, jerky & dried deer. Backstraps, roasts & burger are all done at home.

 

[JNRBRONC]

specialty items like sausage, jerky & dried deer.

The spice packets along with the added pork/beef products to specialty items hides the gamey flavor from quick processing.

My apologies to the original poster on the hijack, but you will be money ahead, with a better product if you take control of it yourself.

Pressed for time? Find a HUSH locker.